CAREER: Unraveling the Cluster Chemistry of Chalcogenide Semiconductor Nanoparticles

有了这个奖项，化学系的大分子，超分子和纳米化学（MSN）计划正在资助俄克拉荷马州州立大学的Yolanda Vasquez教授，以产生关于合成十亿分之一米大小的颗粒的基础知识，这些颗粒包含元素硫，硒和碲-统称为硫族元素。这些纳米结构有许多用途，包括在电视和手机显示器和敏感的生物医学成像。 寻求改善对新开发的结构和化学成分的控制的策略。 新的化学组合和结构对于在现有和新的技术应用中实现最佳性能至关重要。 该教育计划为研究生和本科生在纳米科学的跨学科研究生涯做好准备。在俄勒冈州立大学校园举行的纳米技术夏令营的研究生和本科生担任中学生的学生导师。实践活动面向10-12岁的儿童，目的是促进对科学领域的早期认识和兴趣。 一个特殊的主题本科课程支持学生在跨学科研究在俄勒冈州立大学不断增长的兴趣。通过研究和推广活动，瓦斯奎兹博士旨在扩大从K-12到研究生院的多元化学生群体的参与。二元硫属化物是研究最多的纳米材料之一，因为它们在发光二极管、生物标签和催化剂以及电光和医疗设备中使用的材料中有应用。合成策略与控制的组成，大小和形态已经实现，因此，控制所得的性能已经被利用。纳米颗粒的组成、尺寸、形状和晶相是相互依赖的，并且从这些参数导出的潜在合成机制并不总是清楚的。在分子水平上控制这些变量仍然是该领域的主要挑战之一。在这个NSF CAREER奖中，Vasquez博士试图产生关于中间体作用的基础知识，例如硫族离子簇，以及它们对溶液中所得纳米颗粒的组成，大小，形状和结构的影响。此外，硫族元素晶格的稳健性使得通过阴离子和阳离子交换反应对纳米材料的组成进行合成后改性成为可能。该研究小组旨在通过为10-12岁的儿童举办纳米技术夏令营，扩大代表性不足的群体对科学的参与。一个特殊的主题本科课程支持学生在跨学科研究在俄勒冈州立大学不断增长的兴趣。

With this award, the Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program in the Division of Chemistry is funding Professor Yolanda Vasquez at Oklahoma State University to generate fundamental knowledge on the synthesis of particles at the size of a billionth of a meter that contain the elements sulfur, selenium, and tellurium - collectively known as the chalcogens. These nanostructures have many uses including in television and cell phone displays and for sensitive biomedical imaging. Strategies to improve control of the newly developed structures and chemical compositions are sought. The new chemical combinations and structures are critical to achieving optimal performance in existing and new technological applications. The educational program prepares both graduate and undergraduate students for interdisciplinary research careers in nanoscience. Graduate and undergraduate students at the nanotechnology summer camp held on the OSU campus serve as student mentors to middle schoolers. Hands-on activities are geared towards children ages 10-12 with the goal of promoting early awareness and interest in science fields. A special topics undergraduate course supports the growing student interest in interdisciplinary research at OSU. Through research and outreach activities, Dr. Vasquez aims to broaden the participation of a diverse student population from K-12 through graduate school. Binary chalcogenides are some of the most well-studied nanomaterials due to their applications in light emitting diodes, bio-labels, and catalysts, as well as in materials used in electro-optical and medical devices. Synthetic strategies with control over the composition, size, and morphology have been achieved thus, control over the resulting properties has been exploited. The composition, size, shape, and the crystalline phase of the nanoparticles are interdependent and the underlying synthetic mechanisms derived from these parameters are not always clear. Control over these variables at the molecular level continues to be one of the main challenges in the field. In this NSF CAREER award, Dr. Vasquez seeks to generate fundamental knowledge on the role of intermediates, such as chalcogen ionic clusters, and their effect on the composition, size, shape, and structure of the resulting nanoparticles in solution. Additionally, the robustness of the chalcogen lattice makes post-synthetic modification of the composition of the nanomaterials possible through anion and cation exchange reactions. The research group aims to broaden the participation of underrepresented groups in science through the implementation of a nanotechnology summer camp for children ages 10-12. A special topics undergraduate course supports the growing student interest in interdisciplinary research at OSU.